Masturbation Myths Debunked

May is National Masturbation Month. In celebration of this special time, let’s rub out a few of the most common myths about masturbation once and for all.

Does masturbation cause hair loss?

Legend has it that too much self-love can cause you to lose the hair on your head (only to have it grow on your palms instead, apparently).

Hairy hand jokes aside, the link between masturbation and hair loss sprouts from the belief that beating the meat raises a man’s testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels, hormones
that are associated with male pattern baldness.

Thankfully, the science behind this theory is fuzzy at best. A peer-reviewed study found that men who abstained from masturbation-induced orgasm for three weeks had higher levels of testosterone than those who didn’t.

So, fear not: “making the bald man cry” won’t, in fact, make you bald (or cry, hopefully) after all.

Does masturbation decrease energy?

There’s a long-standing superstition that ejaculation saps a man’s strength and makes him “soft”, which is why boxing champs are strongly advised to avoid sex in the days and weeks leading up to a big fight. Supposedly, all of their pent-up sexual frustration will get funnelled from below the belt into greater knock-out power in the ring.

There’s no denying that the post-orgasmic rush of stress-busting hormones leads to full-body relaxation, which can be easily mistaken for “weakness.” Much like a really good massage, however, any energy loss from sexual climax is temporary — but the mood-boosting benefits remain. That means masturbation may put you in a better frame of mind to stay mentally and physically motivated in the long run — with far fewer distractions.

Does masturbation cause erectile dysfunction?

Your penis is made up of smooth muscle tissue, and, as with any muscle, you have to use it or you’ll use it. Every time you get an erection, masturbate or have sex, you’re essentially giving your wang a workout. Your pelvic floor muscles also contract every time you cum. The result? Stronger erections and more powerful ejaculation. In other words, practice makes perfect!

Is masturbation bad for you?

It turns out, indulging in a bit of alone time with Rosie Palm and her five daughters now and again is not only harmless and perfectly natural, but it does the body good. For one, cleaning your pipes on a regular basis has been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. One study goes so far as to suggest men should masturbate at least 21 times per month to reduce their risk by 19 to 22 percent. When you consider that 220,800 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year, according to the American Cancer Society, it’s worth a shot. (Talk about taking your health into your own hands!)

Then there’s the obvious feel-good factor, too. The flood of happiness hormones (like oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins) released through orgasm offers natural pain relief and can even help you get a better night’s sleep, keeping you in tip-top condition from head to toe.